Guidance for unaccompanied and separated children and youth towards autonomy

The project of the civil society organisation Mentor-Escale facilitated the emancipation and the development of autonomy of unaccompanied and separated youth in the Belgian regions Brussels and Wallonia. In-depth and individualised psychosocial and educational support as well as collective social and educational activities gave the young people a sense of responsibility in developing and leading their own life plans with regards to housing, financial autonomy, health, education and work, as well as to the creation of a social network. The project also included a pilot of a ‘mentoring service’ which broke the isolation and solitude that many unaccompanied and separated youth face by matching them with a volunteer mentor family.

The project provided a model of tailored psycho-social support for unaccompanied and separated children and youth in Belgium, an investment that does not only benefit the young people concerned but is also key for the future of the Belgian society which prevents the consequences of leaving young people behind.